| Chapter 16 The next few weeks went by in a flash. The shows were going well, and it seemed like they were gonna get through this leg of the tour without any kind of incident. Nick was still having the nightmares, and had given up having a room of his own, staying with Brian and Tara. He hadn't panicked on stage since he landed in the hospital, but had a few episodes at a couple of interviews. Stephen had taken to watching Nick take his medicine. He knew Nick wasn't thrilled about taking it, and wanted to make sure he did. Nick had notice that the two girls were following them on the tour. They were at every show, always in the first four rows. He didn't know their names, not having talked to them since the opening show, but he was getting accustomed to seeing them. They always cheered for him, and loved the attention he gave them from the stage. Lyn and Kira had flown out a few times for extended days off. Kristin had gotten a role in a play, so she wasn't able to come out and see Kevin. A.J. and Sarah had a bit of a falling out, so he was playing the solo part as well. Nick was sitting in the dressing room, resting from his training with Tara. Kevin was on the phone with Kristin, and Howie was asleep on the couch. A.J. had gone to the game room for a while, and Brian was sitting with Tara, talking quietly. Nick had noticed Brian coughing on and off all day, and wondered if he was getting sick. Brian again coughed a few times, and Nick couldn't take it anymore, not when he could do something about it. "Bri, are you getting sick?" he asked. Brian looked over at him, "I dunno. I think so. I feel like my head is in a bucket and my throat is scratchy. I guess I'll have Stephen set me up with a doc tomorrow." Nick got up and walked over to him, "I could help ya know." "Nick, you know you aren't suppose to unless..." Tara started. "I know, unless He tells me, but it would hardly take any energy at all for me to do it," Nick said. Brian looked at them both, "Hey, I don't wanna start anything with you two. I'll just see the doc." "You aren't starting anything," Tara said, "Right Nick?" Nick looked at her, seeing the sternness in her face, "Yeah, I guess," he said, defeated. Stephen walked in the room, "Everyone ready for tonight?" "As ready as I get," Nick said, sitting next to Brian. "Nick, you got your pills?" Stephen asked. Nick sighed and walked over to his bag, pulling the bottle out. He took out his dose and popped it in his mouth. "Let's see," Stephen said. Nick rolled his eyes and opened his mouth to let him see he'd swallowed it. "You know, I'm not thirteen. I can take my medicine just fine without your help," Nick said. Stephen laughed, "I'm sure you can. Maybe someday I'll let you." "Stephen, can you set me up with a doc in the morning? I'm kinda cruddy," Brian asked. "Yeah sure," he said, making himself a note. Kevin had gotten off the phone and was watching Nick. He knew Nick hadn't swallowed the pill, and was waiting for Stephen to leave so he could get rid of it. "OK, I'll see you guys in a while," Stephen said, leaving. Nick waited until the door shut, then reached in his mouth and pulled out the pill. "Man, where do you hide that when he's looking?" Kevin asked. "Under the tongue," Nick answered, flushing the pill down the toilet. "How long before he catches you?" Howie asked, waking up. Nick laughed, "Hopefully a long time, cause I am not taking the stuff." They all laughed. A.J. returned from the game room, and plopped down next to Tara. "Man I'm bored as hell," he said. "That bad huh?" she asked, smiling at him. "Lets go peek at the crowd," Nick suggested. A.J. perked up, "Yeah, I'm sure your girls will be front and center." "Dude, they are not my girls," Nick protested. "Yeah, have you told Lyn about them?" Kevin teased. "Oh yeah, how does she feel being part of a harem and all?" A.J. asked. Nick rolled his eyes, "You coming or not?" "Yeah, lets go," A.J. said, leaving the room with him. They walked down the hall to the stage, making their way underneath and over to the side. Nick took hold of the curtains and peeked out, A.J. scrunching in next to him. "There they are dude," he said, "First row tonight. Damn those girls must be loaded to do this for the entire tour." Nick laughed, "Yeah well, might as well have rich groupies if you're gonna have them at all." A.J. shook his head, "Man, how is it you always get all the fine ones?" "I ain't gettin anything," Nick said, "I can't help it if they find me attractive." "Oh please," A.J. said, rolling his eyes. Nick looked out to see the two girls staring directly at him. He smiled, and they waved to him. Nick closed the curtains, "At least they don't scream when they see us." A.J. laughed, "Yeah true." Nick noticed the tone in A.J.'s voice, "What?" "I dunno man. I get some kind of funky vibe when they look at me, I can't describe it," he answered. The two started to make their way back under the stage. "Funky vibe huh? Sure you aren't just missing Sarah or something?" Nick teased. "No dude. I said funky vibe, not horney," A.J. said, "And don't mention Sarah." Nick looked at him, "A.J. what are you guys fighting over anyway?" "Just stuff," he answered, going down the hall. Nick reached out and took hold of A.J.'s wrist, staring at him. "What are you doing?" A.J. asked. Nick stood there, just looking into his eyes. It was making him uncomfortable. "Nick, stop whatever it is you're doing. People are starting to stare," A.J. said. Nick blinked a couple of times and let him go, continuing down the hall. "She didn't ya know," he said. A.J. looked at him, "Huh?" "Sarah. She didn't do what you think she did," Nick answered. "How do you....?" A.J. started to asked. Nick pointed towards the ceiling, "That's how. Call her tonight and talk, it's a misunderstanding." "You're sure?" A.J. asked. Nick nodded his head, "Positive." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The guys were heading to their positions under the stage for the start of the show. Nick caught up with Brian, "Hey man, wait a sec." Brian stopped, "What?" Nick placed his hand on Brian's shoulder, "Just wanted to see how you were feeling?" Brian thought for a second, he was feeling better, and his throat seemed to not be as scratchy. "I think I'm feeling better," he said. Nick smiled, "Good. See ya out there." "K, man," Brian said, heading off to his podium. Nick stepped on his and took a deep breath. He could feel the energy leave him when he touched Brian, and hoped it would be restored just as quickly as it left. He knew he shouldn't have done it, but what could it hurt? It was just a cold, and he was saving Brian the hassle of seeing a doc, and going through the show feeling miserable. Nick closed his eyes and focused for a second. The next thing he knew he was being shot up on stage. The first few numbers were fast paced and he breezed through them. He made it through the costume change, and into the slower portion of the show. By the time it was his turn to talk to the audience, he was completely exhausted. His energy hadn't returned like he thought it would, and he was struggling to put as much into the performance as he could. He kept telling himself, just a few more songs, then we're done. As the last song ended, and the guys ran off stage, Nick found himself at the breaking point. He was walking next to Kevin down the hall. "Kev, I don't feel very well," Nick said, slowing down. Kevin stopped and looked at him, "What's wrong? Do I need to get Tara?" Nick shook his head, "No, I'm just really tired." "Come on then, lets get to the dressing room where you can sit down," Kevin said, walking alongside Nick. He made it to the door of the dressing room before he collapsed. Kevin caught him and drug him inside. "What happened?" Brian asked, coming over to help. "I don't know. He said he was tired," Kevin answered. "Tired?" Tara asked, walking over to the couch they had put him on. "Yeah, that's what he said," Kevin answered, looking at her. Tara took Nick's hand, instantly feeling his lack of energy. She then looked at Brian, "Bri, how are you feeling?" "I feel fine, why?" Brian asked, then realized what Nick must have done, "Oh no, he didn't?" "He did. His energy is gone," she said. "I swear, I didn't know he did it. I just thought I was feeling better on my own," Brian said. "I know. It's not you're fault. Nick has to learn that he can't just do this anytime he wants," Tara said, looking down as Nick came to. Nick looked up at her, hearing what she said. "I didn't think it would take this much," he argued. "When it's you on your own, it drains you," she told him, "You can't do this again, do you understand?" He nodded his head, "I just wanted Brian to get through the show OK." "Nick, good intentions are fine, but you can't go on your own with this. You have to listen to what He tells you," Tara scolded. Nick sat up, "I understand." She stared at him for a moment, "You gonna be alright, or do I need to help you?" "I'm OK," he said, attempting to stand up, and failing miserably. He didn't have the strength to support his own weight. All the guys watched concerned. Tara took Nick's hand and closed her eyes for a moment. Nick took a couple deep breaths, then she released his hand. "Thanks," he said, standing up and going into the showers. "What did you do?" Howie asked. "I gave him some of mine so he could make it until his returned," she answered. "How long will that take?" Brian asked. "I don't know," she said. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Everyone made it back to the hotel, and ordered dinner. All the guys gathered in Brian's room, eating and talking about the show. Nick quietly ate his dinner, listening to the others talk. His energy still hadn't returned to him, and all he really wanted to do was go to bed. He caught the looks from everyone, and knew they all were concerned. They didn't understand how it all worked, so when he did things like this, it scared them. A.J. had finished his meal and excused himself to his room, saying he had a phone call to make. Howie was already half asleep and wondered off in search of his bed. Kevin sat on the couch, looking at Nick. "I'm fine Kevin," Nick said, knowing what he was thinking. "You're sure? You still look tired," Kevin said. "I am, but I'll be fine after I get some rest," Nick confessed. Just then the three appeared in the room. "Hey guys, what's up?" Nick asked. Tara sighed and looked at them, "It's time isn't it?" Tracy nodded, "It is." Nick looked at them, suddenly feeling afraid, "No it can't be, not yet." "I'm sorry Nick, but we have to leave you for a while," Jade said. Brian and Kevin looked at each other, realizing what that meant. "Nick, we will be praying for you. You can make it through this," Gideon said. "Remember, God will always be with you," Tracy said, hugging him. Nick was holding back his tears as they left just as quickly as they had appeared. Tara walked over to him, "Nick, I can't help you when they are here, but come talk with me after they leave." Nick grabbed her hands, "Tara, it's to soon. I'm not ready for this." "Nick, you are. Remember what you've learned. Pray, and above all else, know that God is with you. There will be times when you think He's not there, but He is. Hold on to that. Don't show your fear, they feed on it. Don't let them draw you into a physical fight, you won't win. Take what they give you, and I will be there to help when they leave, OK?" she said. He nodded his head, wiping away a tear. Tara reached up and hugged him, "I'll be praying for you too. Don't worry, you can do this." Nick held on to her, not wanting to let go. "You'll be here when they leave?" "Yes, I will," she said. He finally let her go and watched as she went to her and Brian's bedroom and shut the door. Nick looked over at Brian and Kevin, "I guess this is it." "Man, I wish this didn't have to happen," Brian said. Nick laughed, "You and me both." "We'll be praying for you," Kevin said, walking over and giving the younger man a hug. "Remember what Tara said, what she taught you," Kevin whispered. "I will," Nick said. Brian walked over, "Man I wish I could think of something that would help, the only thing that comes to mind is Ephesians 6: 10-18." "Thanks man, I'll read it when I get in there," Nick said, hugging Brian. "I'm praying for you. I know you can do this, I have faith in you," he said. Nick smiled at him, then turned and went into his room, shutting the door. The two cousins stood there for a moment, looking at the closed door. "I'll go let Howie and A.J. know what's going on," Kevin said. "OK, I'm gonna go see how Tara is. I think this is as hard on her as it is on him," Brian said. "Yeah, I think so. Call me if something happens," Kevin said, walking to the door. "We will," Brian said. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick went to his bag and pulled out his Bible, thumbing through until he found the verses Brian was talking about. He sat on the bed and looked around. He could no longer feel the others. He felt alone, having gotten used to them being there all the time. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the fear that was creeping up inside him. Nick finally looked down and started reading. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Nick stared at the words, smiling. He closed his eyes praying, "Thank you God for giving this to Brian for me. Thank you for the guys and for Tara. Please be with me through this. Please help me to stand my ground, and to resist them. Please give me the strength and the courage to make it through this. Thank you." Nick closed the book and set it on the night stand. He lay back in the bed feeling his strength returning to him. He took several deep breaths, cherishing the feeling. He was no longer afraid, but content in knowing that God would help him through this. He closed his eyes, feeling more relaxed than he had in months. Soon he drifted to sleep. Chapter 17 |